Historical context of Indigenous homelessness
Homelessness is a condition in which individuals do not have a permanent place to live (Aubry et al., 2020). People in this situation do not have a house; this is one of Australia’s major social challenges, contributing to the fate of vulnerable societies such as the Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people. According to Funston and Herring (2016), they are downtrodden parts of society that are not covered by government legislation or other national protective agencies. According to Stephens and Fitzpatrick (2014), nations with robust social safety nets and low economic inequality and poverty rates have fairly low rates of homeless households, but these families are likely to have complex needs. While poverty makes it difficult for these people to afford fundamental human rights, like shelter, since colonialism, government laws have forced the relocation of First Nations people from their land (The Stolen Generations, n.d.). According to the Stolen Generations (n.d.), thousands of children were forcefully removed from their homes by welfare agencies, churches, and governments to be reared in organizations, adopted, or raised by White families known as the Stolen Generations. Homelessness is widespread among Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal individuals in Australia, who live in severely cramped houses, assisted accommodation, or rough sleepers (Zufferey & Chung, 2015). According to Funston and Herring (2016), while there are numerous modern Australian state interventions and policies aimed at addressing family and domestic violence, as well as child abuse in Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal communities, they continue to repeat colonial patterns. According to The Healing Foundation (2014), the removal of aboriginal children from their parents’ homes has a negative impact on their psychological well-being and familial relationships.
Homelessness impacts a sizable population in Australia, which has been observed in big cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. As per estimations, around 116,000 people sleep on the streets each night, while another segment of the population resides and survives in substandard housing (Gordon et al., 2019). It has also been shown that one-third of Australia’s homeless population is under 18. Pawson et al. (2018) state that youthful individuals are constantly being forced to homelessness as a result of housing affordability and their poverty.
According to White et al. (2019), the Indigenous Australian populace, as well as Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal individuals, are the most affected by rough sleeping. The fundamental issue for these people is that they are not recognized in the Constitution nor addressed in law, resulting in racial discrimination (Council, 2016). Moreover, even with teenagers in Australia obtaining one of the most exemplary health profiles internationally, Aboriginal teenagers have been substantially left behind, according to Azzopardi et al. (2018). Adequate solutions will necessitate intersectoral activities, such as a medical care organization that is sensitive to the necessities of Aboriginal adolescents. This proposal concentrates on researching the topic of homelessness as it affects the indigenous community mentally, as well as what policies and measures may be made to solve this problem and aid the population, particularly the youth.
Specialist Homeless Service (SHS) organizations around Australia have given assistance to prevent and help those suffering homelessness. From 2011 to 2012, these organizations assisted around 1.4 million homeless Australians (Pawson et al., 2018). The NHHA has also attempted to boost homeless financing by raising around $129 million, which will be utilized only for the processes and works needed by the people without a roof over their heads. According to Horsell and Zufferey (2017), this organization targets homeless kids and women who have been targets of different forms of abuse and violence.
Government policies to address Indigenous homelessness
The homelessness reduction act, enacted in 2018, prioritized legal obligations and local governments to give genuine assistance to persons in danger of becoming homeless (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education, n.d.). Many laws ban prejudice based on ethnic group, sexuality, and housing (Paradies, 2005). Besides, no law makes it illegal to show prejudice against persons based on their social rank as homeless in Australia (Ketheesan et al., 2020). Otherwise, specific NSW policies did look to advance the lives of the First Nation people by providing affordable housing (NSW Legislation, n.d.). With the enactment of the Aboriginal Housing Act of 1998, the First Nations people could get any assistance in relation to housing through the Aboriginal Housing Office (NSW Legislation, n.d.). AHO aims to guarantee that all First Nation people in NSW are able to acquire reasonably priced housing indiscriminately (Aboriginal Housing Office, n.d.). According to the Aboriginal Housing Office (n.d.), the AHO makes it possible for First Nations people to access grants through programs like the AHO tenancy and Home Buyer Booster grants.
As per the 2016 Census, around 23,400 First Nation people were homeless. The ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics (2019) states that the indigenous community constituted the bulk of those who requested their assistance in 2017-2018.
During colonization, most Aboriginal people had to stay in reserves because the colonization led to a disruption of their economy and society (Dudgeon et al., 2010). The First Nation people were driven into reserves where they could not fend for themselves (Benett & Green, 2019). Moreover, diseases such as influenza, measles, and chickenpox led to the death of many Aboriginal communities The Stolen Generations (n.d.). According to The Stolen Generations (n.d.), many children were taken away from their homes for adoption, given foster parents, or taken to institutions nationally and internationally. The Australian policies did support the removal of children from their homes through the assimilation policy, which had adverse impacts on the First Nation people (Menzies & Nation, 2007). According to Dudgeon et al. (2010), these policies contributed to the loss of family connection, culture, family violence, excess representation in the judicial system; poverty; physical and mental health; substance abuse; and intergenerational trauma among First Nation people.
In Australia, the adoption of the Homeless Persons Assistance Act in the 1970s generated policy interest in the problem of homelessness (1974). The Federal Government also developed the Supported Accommodation Aid Program (SAAP) during the mid-1980s, which provided help and support to people of various ages, genders, and backgrounds. AIHW (2022) states that this program is supported by both the Australian and the local governments, and both Government and non-government organizations supply the services.
Some of the issues and obstacles that the SAAP faced were housing affordability and financial issues, which led to a decrease in policy interest in homelessness by the mid-1990s (Solomon, 2021). Homelessness was addressed again in 2007, with the establishment of the conservative regime, and was then labelled as a national disgrace and referred to as the Government’s most important social policy priority (Nancarrow, 2019). Subsequently, the state-appointed first Minister of Housing and Homelessness created the National Partnership Agreement. Kotz et al. (2021) state that the Federal Government then planned to accomplish two targets by 2020 in the White Paper on Homelessness in 2008, which included decreasing total homelessness.
Role of specialized homeless service organizations
The print media in Australia may detect the political aspects of homelessness (Roberts, 2008). The socio-political context has been used to symbolize the print media (Roberts, 2008). Boucher and Sharpe (2020) state that after 11 years, the Rudd Labor Government defeated the Howard Liberal Government in 2007 on the basis of a social justice strategy that prioritized freedom, democracy, human rights, sustainability, and security. This new government addressed the societal problem of homelessness by embracing ideas centred on decreasing barriers, fostering collaborations, and implementing evidence-based strategies (Brown et al., 2019). According to the White Paper, the administration has pledged to take the needed actions and actions to avoid homelessness sooner (MacKenzie, 2018). This point was delivered to the nation with the assistance of the mass media in the form of a newsprint editorial written by Rudd in 2008 (Boucher & Sharpe 2020). The state had to address this problem since it significantly influenced its financial system (Boucher & Sharpe 2020). According to Thredgold et al. (2019), juvenile homelessness in relation to health and justice service is around $626 million, higher if the child is mentally ill.
The work performed during the 1900s, when 1910 advocated for First Nation people to be constitutionally acknowledged, may be considered as evidence of the transformation (House, 2013). The initiatives, various acts, and reports continued, with the most recent being the Indigenous Voice to the Government in 2019 (Dreise et al., 2021). It was suggested by the Senior Advisory Group to establish the Minister for Aboriginal Australians (Dreise et al., 2021). Bourke et al. (2018) state that a vote was held in which it was recommended that these people not be acknowledged symbolically in the Constitution, which the Prime Minister endorsed in 2020.
Nonetheless, the aboriginal populace’s voice, which focuses on listening to and supporting them, is embraced (NSW Homelessness Strategy, 2018). The Primary Health Network is dedicated to delivering evidence-based health care to First Nation people (NSW Homelessness Strategy, 2018). The organization provides a variety of initiatives to assist First Nations communities. The Aged Care Approvals Round is one of the programs that assist in improving residential aged care facilities. Another initiative is the First Nation people psychological health programs, which aid in obtaining amenities like therapies, psychological health care, drug abuse rehabilitation, and enhancing social and emotional health. According to Rota-Bartelink and Lipmann (2007), the core foundations of homelessness include mental illness and physical violence. Because of the generational trauma that has affected the First Nation people, it is critical to develop programs to enhance their health and well-being (Menzies, 2019). Improving psychological health is regarded as the Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan (Stone & Waldron, 2019). In eliminating homelessness, two national initiatives assist homeless people (MacLean et al., 2017). According to Mitrou et al. (2014), no significant progress has been achieved in closing the gap between non-Indigenous and Aboriginal people in New Zealand, Canada, or Australia in the last ten years.
Figure 1 displays the psychological health of the First Nation community, which may be used to establish rules and services (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019). It is critical to recognize that the psychological health of the First Nation people has been influenced by their past social marginalization and economic deprivation (Calma et al.,2017). Organizations like the Aboriginal Housing office ensure everyone in the NSSW acquires affordable housing (Aboriginal Housing Office, n.d.). The government strategies should look to:
- Encourage long-term hiring of Aboriginal Australian persons in Aboriginal housing assistance (Aboriginal Housing Office, n.d.).
- Guarantee that certified Aboriginal residential agencies are responsible, effective, and knowledgeable about Aboriginal housing programs and services (Aboriginal Housing Office, n.d.).
- Guarantee that the existing housing supply is distributed relatively to Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal individuals who are neediest (Aboriginal Housing Office, n.d.).
Impacts of homelessness on Indigenous youth
Massey et al. (2011) State That Social Workers And The Government Must Engage Closely With First Nation People Groups Such As The Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council To Protect First Nation people in Australia, to accomplish policy ideas. Furthermore, in collaboration with Aboriginal groups and social professionals, the Government would motivate the First Nation community on a regular basis by organizing monthly seminars and mental health services; this will be done to enhance the people’s standard of living (Allison, 2019).
Various stakeholders are involved in reducing the rate of homelessness among the First Nation people (Molloy & Grootjans, 2014). This strategy will include different stakeholders, including community leaders, social workers, Federal government officials, health organizations as well as organizations controlled by the First Nation people (Allison, 2019). Strategies for dealing with Australia’s disadvantaged and oppressed communities, including Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal individuals, must seek to:
- Achieve good results in eliminating the causes of homelessness and the related psychological and mental health concerns.
- Deep and sustained involvement with Elders, employees and the community in determining organizational priorities is one way.
- Hiring the Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal societies, including managers and front-line workers (Benett & Green, 2019).
- Growth and co-design of cultural responsiveness planning and training, as well as cross-agency collaboration for social policy advocacy and sector development (Benett & Green, 2019)
- Action planning for organizational reconciliation and recognition, encompassing responsiveness instruction and cultural security at all echelons (Smith & Hunt, 2018).
According to Thredgold et al. (2019), the methods must be designed to assist these communities in integrating securely and efficiently. The laws which must be developed must concentrate on linking the society to the Australian or non-indigenous inhabitants, as well as empowering this community to develop a positive sense of identity and providing them with substantial social assistance; these are some facets that impact the populace’s psychological health positively (Primary Health Networks, 2021). Another benefit to the public’s mental health will be recognizing the community in the Constitution, for which efforts have already been made and impacts, and intended outcomes have been reached to some extent (Calma et al., 2017). This measure will provide Aboriginals people with a sense of belonging to Australia, both historically and legally. The acknowledgement will also aid healthcare systems in developing better and more efficient policies, such as:
- Assisting the populace in adjusting to the changing social environment.
- Improving sociability and communication abilities.
- Assisting First Nations communities in overcoming harmful health habits such as depression (McIntyre et al., 2017).
- Addressing the factors associated with homelessness, which are typically tied to poverty, affordability, and domestic violence (Parsell & Martson, 2012).
- Providing employment and educational opportunities to encourage healthy living circumstances (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education, n.d.).
According to Couch (2017), policies should be centred on the primary cause of homelessness among First Nation peoples: domestic and familial violence, followed by a housing problem. The National Agreement on Closing the Gap has emphasized the need to provide people with adequate and cheap housing, which will lower the likelihood of domestic violence (National Agreement on Closing the Gap, 2020). In this respect, Ratima et al. (2019) state that the attempts and effects on the Aboriginals people will be explored, and raising awareness and possible solutions to these concerns will be considered.
With existing regulations and the potential establishment of new policies, Aboriginal Australians will be able to get mental health care in a culturally appropriate manner (Primary Health Networks, 2021). The sense of value, emotional and social well-being and the entire society as part of the national identity will improve. In addition, rates of domestic violence will be lowered by eradicating homelessness, and people will be capable of living a decent life, improving their living standards (Lopez-Carmen 2019). One of the strategy’s primary objectives is to enhance the psychological health of Aboriginal Australians. The tactics have made Australia’s homeless indigenous tribes aware of their problems and even incentivized them to cope with and better their existing situation, improving physically and mentally. Australia’s indigenous communities have improved as a consequence of the initiatives put in place to help them (Watts & Hodgson, 2019). Rising social and economic standing in these civilizations has given people the impetus to work for themselves and their family members.
Impacts of homelessness on mental health
Conclusion
The Aboriginal population has been subjected to significant physical, mental, and economic consequences. Giving significance to the element of mental well-being through emotional and social well-being and addressing the issue of rough sleeping among this community, it has been recognized that policies that have been developed and will be established if the primary focus is on the acknowledgement of this society in the Charter of rights and freedoms will solve considerably of the issues that this community faces. Thus, constitutional recognition and cheap housing, education, and emotional and social well-being are factors that policymakers should prioritize to assist this community’s social justice issue.
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